The Columbian Exchange is one of the most significant events in world history, as it enabled the widespread transfer of goods, plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. This period of exchange, which began in the late 1400s, saw many products become widely available for the first time in new areas of the globe. But what products and where did they originally come from? Let’s take a look.
Tea
Tea originated in China, and accounts of its consumption date back to the 10th century. Although tea-drinking had become popular in Europe and Asia by the beginning of the Columbian Exchange, it was not until the 1700s that tea began to find its way into the New World.
Bananas
Bananas are one of the most widely enjoyed fruits in the world today, but their origins are much more obscure. While there is evidence of them being grown in India, New Guinea, and the islands of Southeast Asia for thousands of years, they first arrived in the Americas with Spanish and Portuguese traders after the Columbian Exchange.
Coffee
Coffee has a more clear origin story, as it was first cultivated in Ethiopia and the other countries of the Horn of Africa. It first arrived in Europe during the 1600s, and made its way into the New World in the 1700s. It quickly found favor with the inhabitants of Central and South America, becoming a staple of the local culture.
Potatoes
The potato is a staple of many modern diets, but its origin lies in the Andes mountains of South America. From there, it spread to Central America and Mexico with the help of traders and explorers during the 16th century. The potato was brought to Europe in the late 1500s, long before the Columbian Exchange.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another widespread food of today, and their origins can be traced to Mexico and Central America. From there, they were spread to Europe and Asia by traders and explorers in the 16th century. Tomatoes made their way into the New World during the Columbian Exchange in the late 1400s.
These are just a few of the products that found their way around the world through the Columbian Exchange. While the origins of some of these items remain a mystery, others can be traced back to their places of origin before they were first exchanged between the Old and New Worlds.